by Sam Pendolino, Publicity Director/Public Relations, Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — In a featured $10,000 Open Pace on Saturday night at Buffalo Raceway, driver Jim Morrill Jr. made it to the winner’s circle for the fifth time among his six wins on Saturday night, when he guided the eleven-year-old gelding Invader Hall to victory, his fifth win in 2006.

“He gives me everything he has every week,” said Morrill Jr. “He’s a very special horse who refuses to lose.”

The race unfolded when Michael Scores and driver Kevin Cummings shot to the lead from postposition six rather easily and posted quarter-mile times of 29 flat to the quarter, and 59 flat to the half-mile marker. Usually those soft fractions would be enough for “Michael” to sprint home an easy winner. But on this clear crisp Saturday night on a track labeled “fast”, Invader Hall unleashed a final last quarter-mile of 27.4 to nip the pacesetter by a head. The final time was 1:57 and Invader Hall paid $4.60 to win going off as the favorite in the race. Last week’s Open winner Liebeck and driver Ron Beback Jr. came in third.

The $5,000 share of the winning purse boosted Invader Hall’s 2006 earnings to $26,440 and $758,999 lifetime. Harness The Power of Viola, De. own him while John Leggio is the trainer.

Elm Grove Operativ ties season’s best mile of 1:56

In race number seven, a $7,500 pace for $15,000-$20,000 claimers, driver Jim McNeight put the five-year-old Armbro Operative gelding Elm Grove Operativ on the lead and then set all the quarter-mile fractions in the race: 28, 57.4, 1:26.4 in what was a wire to wire victory by two and three-quarter lengths, over Diaper Dandy and reinsman Ken Holliday in 1:56. The winning time ties the best pacing miles of the season set by both Michael Scores and Meigs Noble Sammy.

“He raced just super tonight,” commented McNeight. “Once he gets to the front, not many horses can catch him.”

It was Elm Grove Operativ’s seventh win of the season for owner Kathleen M. Weller of Elma, NY. John Leggio trains him. The win boosted his 2006 bankroll to $20,463. Deal Me In Again and driver Jim Morrill Jr. came in the show spot. The winner paid $8.30.

Racing will resume on Wednesday April 12, starting at 6:35 p.m. (EST) where driver John Cummings Jr goes for win number 1,000.

Fans may enjoy fine food and drinks while playing their favorite horses: call the clubhouse reservation Line at (716) 646-6109, ext. 60149 to reserve a table. An operator will be available on Monday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Meet the Driver Series at Buffalo Raceway Racing fans at Buffalo Raceway will have the opportunity to meet the top drivers at the Hamburg Oval: each Friday in April, Buffalo Raceway will host the Meet the Driver Series, which will feature a question and answer period with drivers, starting at 5:30 p.m. (EDT), in the Clubhouse.

The schedule for April includes Ken Holliday on April 14, Kevin Cummings on April 21, and will conclude on April 28, on which Keith Kash, Jr. will appear.

Holliday, who raced at Northfield Park last year, is currently second in local earnings, at over $114,000 in 160 starts.

Cummings has posted 20 wins and driven the winners of $94,675 at Buffalo, through March 28, and Kash is not far behind Cummings in terms of purses won, at $94,636.

Buffalo Raceway offers live harness racing every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, starting at 6:35 p.m., and simulcast action is also available each Wednesday thru Sunday, from America’s top racetracks.